The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Enugu State has inaugurated a 22-member committee on Lassa fever following reported re-emergence of the disease in Ebonyi State.
The state Chairman of the association, Dr Cajetan Onyedum, said the move was necessary to sensitise residents of the state as well as health workers on the need to be vigilant and take necessary action.
“We got official information yesterday on the death of two of our colleagues following confirmed outbreak of Lassa fever in Ebonyi. This morning a nurse also died as a result of the same disease while another colleague is in a critical condition. We thought it would be wise to set up this committee due to the proximity between Enugu and Ebonyi in order to check the incidences here,” he said.
Onyedum said members of the committee were selected from key institutions in the state, adding that the committee would soon embark on public enlightenment throughout the state.
